Professor Robert Crawford – Researching Market Researchers

Researching Market Researchers – Behind the Scenes at the Ashby Research ServiceProfessor Robert Crawford

MLMSS 8907,Ashby Research Service Records, ca. 1937 – c.1972, Box 42

Although market research is often mentioned, little is known about those who conduct it. One of Australia’s pioneering market research firms was the Ashby Research Service. Established in 1936 by Sylvia Ashby, the Ashby Research Service would go on to become one of Australia’s largest market research firms before it sold out to an overseas market research firm. In this talk, Professor Robert Crawford will go behind the scenes at the firm to reveal its inner machinations during the 1950s and 1960s. In addition to exploring the ways that it measured the market, this presentation will also revisit the forgotten aspects of its day to day operations – from training junior staff to dealing with Sir Frank Packer.